2010 Subaru Forester review

In its first full redesign since the 2003 model year, the Subaru Forester has moved closer to the mainstream than some fans might have hoped it would. The old model's boxy charm has been toned down, and what's left is a compact SUV whose driving dynamics are on par with some of the nimbler players in this segment. A few Forester diehards may cry foul, but I suspect the changes will widen the car's appeal to the market in general. The SUV remains as practical as ever, but now boasts enough refinement to merit serious consideration from anyone shopping the latest Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.

Trim levels include the 2.5X and 2.5X L.L.Bean, along with turbocharged 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited versions; click here to see a side-by-side comparison with the 2008 model. Subaru's full-time all-wheel-drive system is standard. I drove a number of configurations both on- and off-road at a press event in Southern California.

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“up” and “down” switch
With radio mode selected Press the switch to the “” or “” side briefly to skip to a preset channel. Press the switch to the “” or “” side for more than 0.5 second to seek the next receivable ...

Towing
WARNING Never tow AWD vehicles (including AT, MT and CVT) with the front wheels raised off the ground while the rear wheels are on the ground, or with the rear wheels raised off the ground while ...

Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel economy and vehicle performance during normal driving is ensured by shifting up at the speeds listed in the following table. ...